Pre-Amps-If you have and amp with it's own volume control and multiple inputs, what is the point?

[HiFiJeff]

I know my own reasoning for using my dac as a pre-amp as well, it's simply convenience for volume control with a remote and multiple inputs. But what are some of the other major benefits of having a pre-amp? And more so, why have an active pre-amp? Unless you are trying to alter the sound? Which I guess in some cases that's good because of speakers and room acoustics. I don't know, I think lately I have been getting too much into trying to build my system that I have gotten away from my own rule. KISS Keep It Stupid Simple.
I remember one of my best sounding systems was ridiculously simple. Source-amp-speakers.
It was a cd player,to a Decware SE84UFO to my Omega SUPER 3XRS's. Sound was sublime.

 

[musichal]

Active avoids situations in which the source output is too low to reach desired playback levels.

If an amp has multiple inputs and a VC then it is usually an integrated amp. Preamps are needed with power amps. Listening via a great preamp with appropriate speaker and power amp is the best answer to your title question.

 

[UncleBingo]

Preamp may have different input impedance that better matches your source (resulting in more linear frequency response). Input sensitivity of some power amps might require padding a hot signal.

 

[E-Stat]

But what are some of the other major benefits of having a pre-amp? And more so, why have an active pre-amp? Unless you are trying to alter the sound?

I used passive attenuators for years with my system thinking the same thing. I've found that a really good active beats passives on low level dynamics and soundstaging. Such, however, does not come inexpensively.

 

[spark1]

I am not nearly as experienced as many here, but have never seen a power amp with source selector/multiple source inputs and volume control.

 

[charles 1973]

Many good points in the above posts describe the advantages of a pre-amp.

If it were only about switchable inputs, for $40 or so on sale I can buy an input selector at the Source here in Canada.

I have connected up a CD player's variable audio out directly to the power a power amp once. It actually sounded amazing...Much more transparent than running through a mid-range pre-amp, But didn't have enough drive to bring the power amp to full power.

There may also be some marketing involved here too. KISS may work well for the consumer, But not so well for retailers.

 

[sqlsavior]

Only if:

a. You require other controls, such as tone, balance, mono, etc.
b. Your source does not have enough output to drive your amp
c. Your source has a poor impedance match with your amp
d. You just prefer it that way
e. You play records

K.I.S.S. is a good philosophy, imo.

 

[gentlejax]

I thought that was called a integrated amp

 

[KlipschFan61]

I am not nearly as experienced as many here, but have never seen a power amp with source selector/multiple source inputs and volume control.

I think they call those 'integrated' amps. Eliminates the preamp requirement.

I prefer separates myself but that's just my preference.